God is the one who chose Jesus Christ as the foundation for spiritual life:
Isaiah 28:16 "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation."
The foundation of spiritual life is not a man-made creed, a denomination, or a religious ceremony. The foundation is Jesus Christ. Many professing believers try to build great spiritual structures of Christianity in their lives. They become involved in the program of the church and do many good works. The outward appearance of their spiritual building is good. But before long their spiritual building begins to sink and collapse. They become discouraged, defeated, and fall into sin. This is because they are trying to build on the wrong foundation.
Just as a good foundation is necessary to properly support a building in the natural world, the right spiritual foundation is necessary to support the building of your spiritual life:
1 Corinthians 3:11-13 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."
All so called "Christian" works will be tested by God. The structure of your spiritual life will be examined to determine if it is built on the proper foundation. The only foundation of spiritual life which will stand is that which is built on Jesus Christ.
Foundations are very important. The writer of Psalms realized this when he asked:
Psalms 11:3 "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
In the natural world if the foundation of a building is not properly laid the whole structure can collapse. The same is true in the spiritual world. A wrong foundation will result in spiritual disaster.
The Biblical record of Haggai stresses the importance of proper spiritual foundations. Israel was experiencing poor harvests in the natural world. Haggai told them to examine their ways:
Haggai 1:6, 7, 9 "Ye have sown much, and bring in little...Consider your ways...Ye looked for much, and lo it came to little."
To correct the problem, Haggai told Israel they must rebuild both in the natural and spiritual worlds. Rebuilding in the natural world was necessary for Israel because they had delayed building the house of the Lord. They had built their own homes and put their own concerns ahead of God's command to rebuild the temple. But more important, the spiritual foundation of their lives was wrong. They had been offering sacrifices [good works] with unholy hands:
Haggai 2:14 AMP "...So is this people, and so is this nation before me, says the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there on the altar is unclean because they who offer it are themselves unclean."
A right work offered by unholy hands is not acceptable. The spiritual foundation of their lives was wrong and this is why they were not blessed by God. In the natural world Haggai told God's people that the foundation of the Lord's temple must be rebuilt. He said they must also rebuild their spiritual lives on a proper foundation. From the day that Israel started to build on the right foundation God began to bless them:
Haggai 2:18, 19 TLB "But now note this: From today,...and from this day onward, I will bless you. Notice, I am giving you this promise now before you have even begun to rebuild the Temple structure, and before you have harvested your grain, and before the grapes and figs and pomegranates and olives have produced their next crops: From this day I will bless you."
From the day you start to build proper spiritual foundations, God will bless you in every area of your life.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Building (Part 1)
The Bible compares the life of a believer to the construction of a building:1 Corinthians 3:9 "Ye are God's building..."
Each believer is united in Christ with other Christians to form the Church. The Bible also compares the Church to a building:
Ephesians 2:22 "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
Whenever men erect a building they must first lay a proper foundation. Since this is a natural principle understood by all people, God used it to teach a great spiritual truth.
A believer must have a proper foundation in order to build a good spiritual house. The foundation must be laid according to the builder's plan. The Bible gives the plan of the master builder, Jesus Christ.
The purpose of your spiritual "building" is to provide a habitation or a dwelling place for God. His Spirit will dwell in you only when your life is built on the right foundation. Paul asked in 1 Corinthians 3:16"
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
Because of this you are cautioned to build your spiritual life properly:
1 Corinthians 3:10, 11 "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
The spiritual foundation of which the Word of God speaks:
1. Is based on God's Word:
2 Timothy 2:19 TLB "God's word stands firm like a rock [foundation]; nothing can shake it."
2. is a good foundation:
1 Timothy 6:19 "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation."
3. Is based on righteousness:
Proverbs 10:25 AMP "The uncompromisingly righteous has an everlasting foundation."
4. Is eternal:
1 Timothy 6:19 AMP "...Laying up for themselves the riches that endure forever, a good foundation for the future..."
5. But the firm foundation laid by God stands sure and unshaken, bearing this seal and inscription:
2 Timothy 2:19 "The Lord knows those who are His and let everyone who names himself by the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it."
The two principles upon which the foundation stands are:
a. Redeemed men-The Lord knows those who are His.
b. Living redeemed lives. Let everyone who names himself by the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand away from it.
Luke 6:48 "He is like a man which built a house and digged deep and laid the foundation on a rock and when the flood arose and beat vehemently on the house it could not shake it for it was founded on a rock."
That Rock is Jesus Christ!
Isaiah 44:8 AMP "There is no other rock; I know not any."
Jesus Christ is the only foundation for spiritual life:
1 Corinthians 3:11 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Each believer is united in Christ with other Christians to form the Church. The Bible also compares the Church to a building:
Ephesians 2:22 "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
Whenever men erect a building they must first lay a proper foundation. Since this is a natural principle understood by all people, God used it to teach a great spiritual truth.
A believer must have a proper foundation in order to build a good spiritual house. The foundation must be laid according to the builder's plan. The Bible gives the plan of the master builder, Jesus Christ.
The purpose of your spiritual "building" is to provide a habitation or a dwelling place for God. His Spirit will dwell in you only when your life is built on the right foundation. Paul asked in 1 Corinthians 3:16"
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
Because of this you are cautioned to build your spiritual life properly:
1 Corinthians 3:10, 11 "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
The spiritual foundation of which the Word of God speaks:
1. Is based on God's Word:
2 Timothy 2:19 TLB "God's word stands firm like a rock [foundation]; nothing can shake it."
2. is a good foundation:
1 Timothy 6:19 "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation."
3. Is based on righteousness:
Proverbs 10:25 AMP "The uncompromisingly righteous has an everlasting foundation."
4. Is eternal:
1 Timothy 6:19 AMP "...Laying up for themselves the riches that endure forever, a good foundation for the future..."
5. But the firm foundation laid by God stands sure and unshaken, bearing this seal and inscription:
2 Timothy 2:19 "The Lord knows those who are His and let everyone who names himself by the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it."
The two principles upon which the foundation stands are:
a. Redeemed men-The Lord knows those who are His.
b. Living redeemed lives. Let everyone who names himself by the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand away from it.
Luke 6:48 "He is like a man which built a house and digged deep and laid the foundation on a rock and when the flood arose and beat vehemently on the house it could not shake it for it was founded on a rock."
That Rock is Jesus Christ!
Isaiah 44:8 AMP "There is no other rock; I know not any."
Jesus Christ is the only foundation for spiritual life:
1 Corinthians 3:11 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Victory Or Defeat Walk A Thin Line
Joshua was leading the Israelites in battle to possess the land God had promised them in Joshua 7, but Achan's sin caused God's favor to be withdrawn which resulted in disaster for Israel (verses 1-5). Remember that sin always lurks in the shadow of victory.
Sadly, the Israeli spies underestimated the population of Ai. Again, do not underestimate the power of the enemy to kill, steal, and destroy. At the same time, do not let the rational assessment of his powers bring fear. You have power over all the power of the enemy. Discover and deal with the cause of defeat.
When there is defeat, there is a cause. Israel dealt with the guilty as instructed in Verses 13,25,26. This discipline resulted in restored approval by God. To maintain the presence of God, you must deal with sin by confession and repentance.
Achan's sin was a progression-he saw, he coveted, and he took (Verse 21). In 1 Peter 2:11 we are told to "abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul". The lust of the eyes is not of the Father, but is of the world
according to 1 John 2:16. From the very first attack of the enemy on man, fleshly lusts have been instrumental in defeat.
In Chapter 8 God told Israel to take the city of Ai and that this time they would be victorious. Working as a team, Israel defeated the enemy by setting an ambush. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 indicates we have added strength against the enemy when we stand in support of one another.
Joshua told the men of war to be ready in Verse 4. You are engaged in spiritual warfare. You must be ready to advance and be on guard against the enemy at all times.
Joshua's sword was the signaling weapon to the men hidden in ambush in Verses 18and 19. Believers have a spiritual sword which is the Word of God which Paul described in Ephesians 6:17. You are to use it to warn others of the approach of the enemy.
The Israelites who fled into the wilderness turned back
upon their pursuers and slew them in Verse 21. Turn and face your enemy in the strength of the Lord. James said in James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the Devil, and he will flee from you."
Joshua led the people in worship after the victory was won. Sometimes we make the mistake of emphasizing a spiritual victory and our part in attaining it. We are warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Sadly, the Israeli spies underestimated the population of Ai. Again, do not underestimate the power of the enemy to kill, steal, and destroy. At the same time, do not let the rational assessment of his powers bring fear. You have power over all the power of the enemy. Discover and deal with the cause of defeat.
When there is defeat, there is a cause. Israel dealt with the guilty as instructed in Verses 13,25,26. This discipline resulted in restored approval by God. To maintain the presence of God, you must deal with sin by confession and repentance.
Achan's sin was a progression-he saw, he coveted, and he took (Verse 21). In 1 Peter 2:11 we are told to "abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul". The lust of the eyes is not of the Father, but is of the world
according to 1 John 2:16. From the very first attack of the enemy on man, fleshly lusts have been instrumental in defeat.
In Chapter 8 God told Israel to take the city of Ai and that this time they would be victorious. Working as a team, Israel defeated the enemy by setting an ambush. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 indicates we have added strength against the enemy when we stand in support of one another.
Joshua told the men of war to be ready in Verse 4. You are engaged in spiritual warfare. You must be ready to advance and be on guard against the enemy at all times.
Joshua's sword was the signaling weapon to the men hidden in ambush in Verses 18and 19. Believers have a spiritual sword which is the Word of God which Paul described in Ephesians 6:17. You are to use it to warn others of the approach of the enemy.
The Israelites who fled into the wilderness turned back
upon their pursuers and slew them in Verse 21. Turn and face your enemy in the strength of the Lord. James said in James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the Devil, and he will flee from you."
Joshua led the people in worship after the victory was won. Sometimes we make the mistake of emphasizing a spiritual victory and our part in attaining it. We are warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Victory or defeat walk a thin line. Which side do you choose to be on?
You Will (Part 2)
Some beautiful promises are made to the overcomers who overcome the spiritual forces of evil through waging effective spiritual warfare. The Bible clearly says:
• Will eat of the tree of life: Revelation 2:7
• Shall eat of hidden manna: Revelation 2:17
• Will be clothed in white raiment: Revelation 3:5
• Will be pillars in the temple of God: Revelation 3:12
•Will sit with Jesus in His throne: Revelation 3:21
• Will have a new name: Revelation 2:17
• Will have power over the nations: Revelation 2:26
• Will have the name of God written upon them: Revelation 3:12
• Will have a special relationship with God: Revelation 21:7
• Will have the morning star (Jesus): Revelation 2:28
• Will be confessed by Jesus before God the Father: Revelation 3:5
• Will not be hurt by the second death: Revelation 2:11
• Will not have their names blotted out of the book of life: Revelation 3:5
• Will inherit all things: Revelation 21:7
You will continue to fight spiritual battles until you go to
be with the Lord. As you fight each battle you will learn more about warfare from your successes and even from your failures. Always remember that "failure" is a temporary word as long as you return to the battlefield and continue to war. You may lose a battle now and then, but the final victory has been assured by our Lord of Hosts!
• Will eat of the tree of life: Revelation 2:7
• Shall eat of hidden manna: Revelation 2:17
• Will be clothed in white raiment: Revelation 3:5
• Will be pillars in the temple of God: Revelation 3:12
•Will sit with Jesus in His throne: Revelation 3:21
• Will have a new name: Revelation 2:17
• Will have power over the nations: Revelation 2:26
• Will have the name of God written upon them: Revelation 3:12
• Will have a special relationship with God: Revelation 21:7
• Will have the morning star (Jesus): Revelation 2:28
• Will be confessed by Jesus before God the Father: Revelation 3:5
• Will not be hurt by the second death: Revelation 2:11
• Will not have their names blotted out of the book of life: Revelation 3:5
• Will inherit all things: Revelation 21:7
You will continue to fight spiritual battles until you go to
be with the Lord. As you fight each battle you will learn more about warfare from your successes and even from your failures. Always remember that "failure" is a temporary word as long as you return to the battlefield and continue to war. You may lose a battle now and then, but the final victory has been assured by our Lord of Hosts!
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
You Are (Part 1)
Satan sets spiritual "snares" for believers. A snare is like a trap set for animals. It is hidden, but springs open suddenly to take its victim into captivity. Examine your life tobe certain you are not snared by:
1.The fowler: Psalms 91:3; 124:7
2. The wicked: Psalms 119:110
3. Your lips: Proverbs 18:7
4. Evil associates: Proverbs 22:24-25
5. Fear of man: Proverbs 29:25
6. The Devil: 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26
7. Riches: 1 Timothy 6:9
8. Sin: Proverbs 29:6
9. Scorn: Proverbs 29:8
10. False gods: Exodus 23:33; Judges 2:3
11. Sinful mate: 1 Samuel 18:21
12. Covenants with unbelievers: Exodus 34:12
1.The fowler: Psalms 91:3; 124:7
2. The wicked: Psalms 119:110
3. Your lips: Proverbs 18:7
4. Evil associates: Proverbs 22:24-25
5. Fear of man: Proverbs 29:25
6. The Devil: 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26
7. Riches: 1 Timothy 6:9
8. Sin: Proverbs 29:6
9. Scorn: Proverbs 29:8
10. False gods: Exodus 23:33; Judges 2:3
11. Sinful mate: 1 Samuel 18:21
12. Covenants with unbelievers: Exodus 34:12
Remember you are now an overcomer in Christ Jesus, thru His blood, and His name. Because of this you must learn:
1. That you can overcome the power of the wicked one: 1 John 2:13-14
2. Jesus overcame the world, the flesh, and the devil: John 16:33
3. Because He lives in you, you can overcome the world: 1 John 4:4
4. You overcome by the new birth experience and your faith: 1 John 5:4-5
5. You overcome by the blood of Jesus and your testimony: Revelation 12:11
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Old Testament Warfare
It is important to understand general principles of Old
Testament warfare because they are also applicable to spiritual warfare in today's world.
1. In a properly conducted war authorized by God, He promised protection to the warriors in Deuteronomy 20:1-4.
2. Israel's enemies were God's enemies. The people were to trust in Him for victory rather than their own strength according to Judges 5:31 and Exodus 17:16. When they did this, God fought with them.
3. The ark of the covenant served as the symbol of God's presence with the Israelites during battle. The ark went before the armies of Israel to symbolize God's active
presence with His people. It had no power in itself, but was only a symbol of God's presence with His people according to 1 Samuel 4:1-11. In the New Testament, Jesus said in John 14:16, 17 that the Holy Spirit was to dwell in believers and was God's actual, active presence within them.
4. Deuteronomy 23:9-14 reminds us if God was to fight for His people, they had to be holy. They were to
separate themselves from anything sinful.
5. Judges 7:1-6) says the fearful were exempted from war because cowards will turn and run in the middle of the battle.
6. People engaged in the affairs of life were exempted from war. Deuteronomy 20:5-8 records that a recently married man did not go to war for one year. This was because he was primarily concerned with his wife, setting up a household, getting established, etc. He was too busy with these affairs of life to be effective in warfare. This is why Paul warns Timothy "No man that
warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of life" in 2 Timothy 2:4. Jesus also warned us about being overcome with the cares of the world. In the prophecy of Daniel, we learn that one of the main end time strategies of the antichrist is to "wear away the saints of God" by the affairs of this life.
7. Numbers 31:10, 11 says God's people were to fight until the enemy was completely destroyed.
8. The walls surrounding Israeli cities were important to their defense. These walls were approximately 10 feet in width and as high as 30 feet. Watchmen watched from the top of the walls for enemy activity. The New Testament compares the believer to a "city set on a hill". You have spiritual walls of defense against the enemy.
9. Judges 7:18 declares a trumpet signal by the commander in chief opened each battle and, when it was
over, the trumpet called the soldiers away from the fight as explained in 2 Samuel 2:28 and 18:16. Jesus sounded
the trumpet in the spirit world when He commissioned us to go into all the world with the Gospel and gave us power over the enemy in Matthew 28:18-20. Someday in the future a trumpet will call us away from the fight as Paul decreed in 2 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
Testament warfare because they are also applicable to spiritual warfare in today's world.
1. In a properly conducted war authorized by God, He promised protection to the warriors in Deuteronomy 20:1-4.
2. Israel's enemies were God's enemies. The people were to trust in Him for victory rather than their own strength according to Judges 5:31 and Exodus 17:16. When they did this, God fought with them.
3. The ark of the covenant served as the symbol of God's presence with the Israelites during battle. The ark went before the armies of Israel to symbolize God's active
presence with His people. It had no power in itself, but was only a symbol of God's presence with His people according to 1 Samuel 4:1-11. In the New Testament, Jesus said in John 14:16, 17 that the Holy Spirit was to dwell in believers and was God's actual, active presence within them.
4. Deuteronomy 23:9-14 reminds us if God was to fight for His people, they had to be holy. They were to
separate themselves from anything sinful.
5. Judges 7:1-6) says the fearful were exempted from war because cowards will turn and run in the middle of the battle.
6. People engaged in the affairs of life were exempted from war. Deuteronomy 20:5-8 records that a recently married man did not go to war for one year. This was because he was primarily concerned with his wife, setting up a household, getting established, etc. He was too busy with these affairs of life to be effective in warfare. This is why Paul warns Timothy "No man that
warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of life" in 2 Timothy 2:4. Jesus also warned us about being overcome with the cares of the world. In the prophecy of Daniel, we learn that one of the main end time strategies of the antichrist is to "wear away the saints of God" by the affairs of this life.
7. Numbers 31:10, 11 says God's people were to fight until the enemy was completely destroyed.
8. The walls surrounding Israeli cities were important to their defense. These walls were approximately 10 feet in width and as high as 30 feet. Watchmen watched from the top of the walls for enemy activity. The New Testament compares the believer to a "city set on a hill". You have spiritual walls of defense against the enemy.
9. Judges 7:18 declares a trumpet signal by the commander in chief opened each battle and, when it was
over, the trumpet called the soldiers away from the fight as explained in 2 Samuel 2:28 and 18:16. Jesus sounded
the trumpet in the spirit world when He commissioned us to go into all the world with the Gospel and gave us power over the enemy in Matthew 28:18-20. Someday in the future a trumpet will call us away from the fight as Paul decreed in 2 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 8)
Don't put your trust in "chariots" or the natural weapons of men!
Psalms 20:7 "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God."
-Chariots can lose wheels, break axles, and provide no overhead covering for the driver of passenger.
Psalms 20:7 "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God."
-Chariots can lose wheels, break axles, and provide no overhead covering for the driver of passenger.
-Chariots can get stuck in the mud, lose traction, and are really dependent on horsepower. With it, it won't move!
-Chariots are only as dependable as their driver and team.
But remember God has "spiritual" chariots.
-There are more of them for us than against us!
Psalm 68:17 "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place."
-They are indeed supernatural in creation and power! Psalm 104:3 "Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind..."
-The Lord doesn't need wood or wheels for His chariots!
Isaiah 19:1 "The burden of Egypt. Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it."
-When God drives miracles happen! Kings 2:11 "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
Let go of your reins-God has it under control and He is swift to engage in battle and combat for us with His supernatural weaponry. The battle is the Lord's!
Sunday, April 23, 2017
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 6)
2 Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
You can capture enemy thoughts
Thoughts can be controlled. It’s our responsibility to guard our minds against negative thoughts. What we think about most, we will eventually do or become. Thoughts form our reality. Our thoughts make us who we are. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he“.
So how do we practically apply 2 Corinthians 10:5 to our lives? We bring into captivity every thought by the words of our mouth. It’s impossible to think a negative thought and speak a positive word at the same time. A negative thought has to yield to a positive word coming out of your mouth.
It’s impossible to think a negative thought and speak a positive word at the same time. A negative thought has to yield to a positive word coming out of your mouth.
One problem area for me when it comes to negative thoughts attacking my mind has to do with my failures from the past. Being stranded in a territory where you're reminded of maybe this or that has always been a fear that I’ve had to deal with.
During my time of sickness, my mind was bombarded with thoughts of being unable to fulfill my calling and making moves when I never should have. During that time I continually had to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ by speaking the Word of God out loud.
So what negative thoughts are you dealing with? What thoughts are you having that you know are detrimental to where you want to be in life? I urge you to bring into captivity every thought with the Word of God. Don’t allow any thought that contradicts Gods Word to take root in your mind. Take the time to find a scripture to do battle with your mind and let that scripture flow from your mouth continually and you will stop your negative thoughts from having an opportunity to manifest in your life.
You can capture enemy thoughts
Thoughts can be controlled. It’s our responsibility to guard our minds against negative thoughts. What we think about most, we will eventually do or become. Thoughts form our reality. Our thoughts make us who we are. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he“.
So how do we practically apply 2 Corinthians 10:5 to our lives? We bring into captivity every thought by the words of our mouth. It’s impossible to think a negative thought and speak a positive word at the same time. A negative thought has to yield to a positive word coming out of your mouth.
It’s impossible to think a negative thought and speak a positive word at the same time. A negative thought has to yield to a positive word coming out of your mouth.
During my time of sickness, my mind was bombarded with thoughts of being unable to fulfill my calling and making moves when I never should have. During that time I continually had to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ by speaking the Word of God out loud.
The scripture I used to get me safely forward on this trip was Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who reverence Him and delivers them." I probably spoke Psalm 34:7 out of my mouth over 100 times. Every time I found myself meditating on being stranded on the side of life's road, I let Psalm 34:7 flow out of my mouth and each time I did, the negative thoughts would leave. Speaking words out loud is how we control our thoughts.
So what negative thoughts are you dealing with? What thoughts are you having that you know are detrimental to where you want to be in life? I urge you to bring into captivity every thought with the Word of God. Don’t allow any thought that contradicts Gods Word to take root in your mind. Take the time to find a scripture to do battle with your mind and let that scripture flow from your mouth continually and you will stop your negative thoughts from having an opportunity to manifest in your life.
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 7)
Matthew 16:19, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Jesus referred to binding and loosing as the keys to the kingdom, which means we ought to know and use these keys. Binding is like a temporary spiritual handcuffing. You can bind a false spirit, much like tying something up with rope or chains. You cannot bind a person's free will, but you can bind the things affecting or influencing that person. Binding is not the same practice as casting out demons. Casting out demons brings fourth lasting results, whereas binding is only to tie them down for a period of time. If you are trying to talk to or minister to somebody, and they seem impossible to get through to, it can be helpful to bind up the spirits inside that person, which will handcuff the enemy so you can directly and effectively minister to that person without having them continually held back by the enemy's interference.
What does it mean to bind on earth? It refers to your physical location; right now, you are here on earth. Jesus is saying that the authority to bind and loose are provided for us to use right here on earth. What does it mean for something to be bound in heaven? If you look up the word "heaven" in the Greek, you'll find another word called "air", which refers to where the spirits dwell. The Bible also says that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This isn't referring to heaven as in the place we go after we die, but rather a supernatural realm. The Bible tells us that we are seated in the heavenly realm with Christ in Ephesians 2:6. We, as humans, were below the angels and demons, but as believers, we are now seated above the angelic realm and with Christ! So the word "heaven" here is referring to the spiritual realm, the air, where the spirits dwell and operate. In Ephesians 2:2, Satan is known as the 'prince of the power of the air'.
Jesus referred to binding and loosing as the keys to the kingdom, which means we ought to know and use these keys. Binding is like a temporary spiritual handcuffing. You can bind a false spirit, much like tying something up with rope or chains. You cannot bind a person's free will, but you can bind the things affecting or influencing that person. Binding is not the same practice as casting out demons. Casting out demons brings fourth lasting results, whereas binding is only to tie them down for a period of time. If you are trying to talk to or minister to somebody, and they seem impossible to get through to, it can be helpful to bind up the spirits inside that person, which will handcuff the enemy so you can directly and effectively minister to that person without having them continually held back by the enemy's interference.
What does it mean to bind on earth? It refers to your physical location; right now, you are here on earth. Jesus is saying that the authority to bind and loose are provided for us to use right here on earth. What does it mean for something to be bound in heaven? If you look up the word "heaven" in the Greek, you'll find another word called "air", which refers to where the spirits dwell. The Bible also says that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This isn't referring to heaven as in the place we go after we die, but rather a supernatural realm. The Bible tells us that we are seated in the heavenly realm with Christ in Ephesians 2:6. We, as humans, were below the angels and demons, but as believers, we are now seated above the angelic realm and with Christ! So the word "heaven" here is referring to the spiritual realm, the air, where the spirits dwell and operate. In Ephesians 2:2, Satan is known as the 'prince of the power of the air'.
Therefore, when you bind something here on earth, it will be bound in the spiritual realm as well. This gives us the ability to bind demons, because they dwell within the spiritual realm.
What keeps a person from accepting Jesus? The god of this world, which is Satan, working through his army of demoniac spirits, has blinded their minds from the light of the gospel according to 2 Corinthians 4:4. Jesus taught us in Mark 3:27 to bind the strong man, then we can plunder his house. If you have been trying to witness to somebody, and seem to be getting nowhere, try binding the spirits of darkness that are preventing that person from seeing the light in the gospel. You cannot bind a person's will or force them to accept the gospel, but you can do something about the forces which are holding the person back. Once you take those forces out of the picture, you will be able to talk directly to that person without demons whispering in their ears and trying to combat what you are telling them.
Loosing, like binding, can be done here on earth, and takes effect in the spiritual realm. Loosing however, refers to the loosing of a captive or person in bondage. You bind demons, and you loose the captives. When Jesus set free the woman with the issue of blood, He said unto her, "Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity." (Luke 13:12)
Many people believe that loosing refers to the act of loosing good things into a person's life, such as blessings or God's love. My opinion is that God's love is not bound in the first place, therefore there is no reason to loose it. I have never seen any Biblical backing for the concept of loosing good things into a person's life. But if you look at Luke 13:12, it gives us an example of when Jesus loosed a captive, "And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity."
The keys are our to possess. Let's begin to us them in Jesus Name!
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Spiritual Vision
The Bible states in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The vision to which this verse refers to is spiritual vision.
Spiritual vision provides direction. It provides challenge and structure for life. Without it, people become spiritually dead. Developing spiritual vision is the process of recognizing the purpose for which you have been brought into the Kingdom of God. This development is called the "Birth of a Vision.”
Why is spiritual vision necessary and why do people perish without it?
The answer is found in one of many Biblical examples of spiritual vision concerning the story of the Prophet Elisha and his servant, Gehazi in II Kings 6:15-17.
God's people, Israel, were surrounded by the enemy nation of Syria. There were many soldiers, horses, and chariots of war. When Elisha's servant, Gehazi, saw the great force of the enemy he was afraid. He cried out to Elisha, "What shall we do?" Elisha told him:
II Kings 6:16 "Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
Then Elisha prayed that God would open Gehazi's eyes and allow him to see in the spirit world. The request was granted, and Gehazi saw the spiritual forces of God surrounding Israel.
God actually let Gehazi see the spiritual vision with his natural eyes. The important point is that without spiritual vision the people of God cannot see beyond the natural circumstances of life.
Like Gehazi, they are defeated by the powers of the enemy which they see at work in the natural world around them. Their vision is focused on their problems and their life becomes a cycle of crying out, "What shall we do?" Without spiritual vision, they cannot see and understand the divine plan of God.
Before you are born again you are blinded by sin. Through salvation by the blood of Jesus your basic blindness is healed. Then God wants to develop your spiritual vision.
This process is a spiritual parallel of an actual incident in the ministry of Jesus:
Mark 8:22-25 "And He cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto Him, and besought Him to touch him. And He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when He had spit on his eyes, and put His hands upon him, He asked him if he saw ought.
And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
After that He put His hands again upon his eyes and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly."
This miracle was an actual physical healing performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Why didn't the first touch of Jesus heal the man completely? Didn't Jesus have all power? Wasn't He the Son of the living God? Jesus was providing a natural example of a spiritual truth. Jesus wants to touch you spiritually just as He did in this natural healing. First He wants to clear up the basic blindness of sin in your life. Then He wants to develop your spiritual vision.
Spiritual vision involves seeing beyond the natural world into the spiritual world. It is understanding the divine purpose of God and recognizing your part in His plan.
Believers who are spiritually "perishing" are in one of the following categories:
-They do not have spiritual vision.
-They have received a spiritual vision but have been disobedient to it.
-They have a vision, but do not know how to fulfill it. They have tried and failed or perhaps have never tried at all.
Spiritual vision provides a clear image of what God wants you to do and then directs every step of your Christian life towards achieving that goal.
Spiritual vision provides direction. It provides challenge and structure for life. Without it, people become spiritually dead. Developing spiritual vision is the process of recognizing the purpose for which you have been brought into the Kingdom of God. This development is called the "Birth of a Vision.”
Why is spiritual vision necessary and why do people perish without it?
The answer is found in one of many Biblical examples of spiritual vision concerning the story of the Prophet Elisha and his servant, Gehazi in II Kings 6:15-17.
God's people, Israel, were surrounded by the enemy nation of Syria. There were many soldiers, horses, and chariots of war. When Elisha's servant, Gehazi, saw the great force of the enemy he was afraid. He cried out to Elisha, "What shall we do?" Elisha told him:
II Kings 6:16 "Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
Then Elisha prayed that God would open Gehazi's eyes and allow him to see in the spirit world. The request was granted, and Gehazi saw the spiritual forces of God surrounding Israel.
God actually let Gehazi see the spiritual vision with his natural eyes. The important point is that without spiritual vision the people of God cannot see beyond the natural circumstances of life.
Like Gehazi, they are defeated by the powers of the enemy which they see at work in the natural world around them. Their vision is focused on their problems and their life becomes a cycle of crying out, "What shall we do?" Without spiritual vision, they cannot see and understand the divine plan of God.
Before you are born again you are blinded by sin. Through salvation by the blood of Jesus your basic blindness is healed. Then God wants to develop your spiritual vision.
This process is a spiritual parallel of an actual incident in the ministry of Jesus:
Mark 8:22-25 "And He cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto Him, and besought Him to touch him. And He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when He had spit on his eyes, and put His hands upon him, He asked him if he saw ought.
And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
After that He put His hands again upon his eyes and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly."
This miracle was an actual physical healing performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Why didn't the first touch of Jesus heal the man completely? Didn't Jesus have all power? Wasn't He the Son of the living God? Jesus was providing a natural example of a spiritual truth. Jesus wants to touch you spiritually just as He did in this natural healing. First He wants to clear up the basic blindness of sin in your life. Then He wants to develop your spiritual vision.
Spiritual vision involves seeing beyond the natural world into the spiritual world. It is understanding the divine purpose of God and recognizing your part in His plan.
Believers who are spiritually "perishing" are in one of the following categories:
-They do not have spiritual vision.
-They have received a spiritual vision but have been disobedient to it.
-They have a vision, but do not know how to fulfill it. They have tried and failed or perhaps have never tried at all.
Spiritual vision provides a clear image of what God wants you to do and then directs every step of your Christian life towards achieving that goal.
Monday, April 10, 2017
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 5)
Our safety is from the Lord!
Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Psalm 91:1-4 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Safety is an important ingredient in every phase of our physical lives. It applies to every individual in their profession or leisure time as well. If it's unsafe it can't be insured, licensed, permitted, qualified, or produced. There is no money back guarantee or buy back policy. Even though sometimes we get stuck with a lemon, it's better to be safe than to be sorry.
Some Christians want to feel the edge of that safety zone. They want to see how close they can get to the fire without being burned. They want to test the limits of the Word when it comes to simple elements of life.
However, God is not a daredevil nor works on a whim. We don't live on a dare, or walk by a dare, but by the Spirit of the living God. He is my safety net when I fall. He is my river of life when I'm thirsty. He does cover me with His shadow and as long as I abide there I'm protected. Storms will come, pestilence will rage, and falsehoods will arise, but in Him I am safe. The fowler's snares cannot trap me because He is my shield and buckler.
What's a buckler? The dictionary gives us three definitions:
Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Psalm 91:1-4 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Safety is an important ingredient in every phase of our physical lives. It applies to every individual in their profession or leisure time as well. If it's unsafe it can't be insured, licensed, permitted, qualified, or produced. There is no money back guarantee or buy back policy. Even though sometimes we get stuck with a lemon, it's better to be safe than to be sorry.
Some Christians want to feel the edge of that safety zone. They want to see how close they can get to the fire without being burned. They want to test the limits of the Word when it comes to simple elements of life.
However, God is not a daredevil nor works on a whim. We don't live on a dare, or walk by a dare, but by the Spirit of the living God. He is my safety net when I fall. He is my river of life when I'm thirsty. He does cover me with His shadow and as long as I abide there I'm protected. Storms will come, pestilence will rage, and falsehoods will arise, but in Him I am safe. The fowler's snares cannot trap me because He is my shield and buckler.
What's a buckler? The dictionary gives us three definitions:
-A small round shield held by a handle at arm's length.
-A shield worn on the left arm.
-One that shields and protects.
David said the Lord is my shield, my protector, or my buckler. He reaches farther down than we can reach up, He builds higher walls around us than we could construct, and he never leaves or forsakes us. He is our protector and defender. There is ultimate safety in Him.
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 4)
You have dominion over the enemy!
Psalms 8:6 "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:"
Daniel 7:27 "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."
Ephesians 1:21 "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come..."
You don't always have control over situations in your life. You can be healthy one moment, and in the next your health be taken away. You can be wealthy, and in one moment lose everything. Certain things in life our just hard to figure out and understand. It's in those times we often fell dominated by the enemy. His tools appear to be unlimited and constantly berating us in our minds with our failures and falls.
Yet, God has given us dominion or control over our enemy. That dominion is the conquering power of the Holy Spirit living within us that causes the praise to go up in spite of what our circumstances seem to be. That dominion infuses us with knowledge and power to stop the accuser of the brethren in his tracks and to stand in the spirit of liberty that Jesus has brought into our lives. That dominion releases us from a troubled past with a glistening fountain of freedom before us. That dominion allows us to traverse territories we thought we would never be able to handle. That dominion is greater than we can possibly imagine and nothing past, present, or future can limit it.
Claim your dominion now in Jesus name because you can. It's all up to you!
Psalms 8:6 "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:"
Daniel 7:27 "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."
Ephesians 1:21 "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come..."
You don't always have control over situations in your life. You can be healthy one moment, and in the next your health be taken away. You can be wealthy, and in one moment lose everything. Certain things in life our just hard to figure out and understand. It's in those times we often fell dominated by the enemy. His tools appear to be unlimited and constantly berating us in our minds with our failures and falls.
Yet, God has given us dominion or control over our enemy. That dominion is the conquering power of the Holy Spirit living within us that causes the praise to go up in spite of what our circumstances seem to be. That dominion infuses us with knowledge and power to stop the accuser of the brethren in his tracks and to stand in the spirit of liberty that Jesus has brought into our lives. That dominion releases us from a troubled past with a glistening fountain of freedom before us. That dominion allows us to traverse territories we thought we would never be able to handle. That dominion is greater than we can possibly imagine and nothing past, present, or future can limit it.
Claim your dominion now in Jesus name because you can. It's all up to you!
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 3)
The Lord is your fortress!
2 Samuel 22:2 "And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer..."
Psalms 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.."
Jeremiah 16:19 "O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit."
2 Samuel 22:2 "And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer..."
Psalms 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.."
Jeremiah 16:19 "O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit."
A fortress is defined as a military stronghold, especially a strongly fortified town fit for a large garrison; a heavily protected and impenetrable building; or a person or thing not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance. God is all three to the born-again believer in more ways than one.
-He is impenetrable.
-He is my rock.
-He is my deliver.
-He is my buckler.
-He is my God.
-He is my strength.
-He is the one I trust in.
-He is the horn of my salvation.
-He is my high tower.
-He is my refuge.
-He is not influenced by evil.
-He is all I need, when I need, and how I need.
According to these verses this fortress God created in Jesus is powerful enough to withstand any changes, hardships, or attacks caused by the enemy. That's why Jesus is looking for someone who will not let their guard down. Let your spiritual influence soar as one not easily swayed by the crowd or popular theology, but one who has walls of integrity protecting them from the onslaught of the devil.
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 2)
-You can have victory!
Deuteronomy 7:21 "Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible."
1 Chronicles 29:11 "Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all."
Psalms 5:11 "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."
Isaiah 49:19 "For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away."
1 Corinthians 15:57 " But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Deuteronomy 7:21 "Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible."
1 Chronicles 29:11 "Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all."
Psalms 5:11 "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."
Isaiah 49:19 "For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away."
1 Corinthians 15:57 " But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
These scriptures bring these facts to the forefront about victorious living:
1. The Lord is among us and with us as our mighty God.
2. The Lord is great in His power, glory, majesty, and victory.
3. The Lord is our constant defender so rejoice.
4. The Lord puts our land of destruction (our past) far away from us.
5. The Lord gives us consistent victories through Jesus Christ.
6. The Lord rebirths us through His Spirit and our faith to give us commanding power to overcome the world.
Remember the words of that old chorus:
Victory is mine, victory is mine, Victory today is mine!
I told Satan to "get the behind", Victory today is mine!
Walk in it, breathe it, and live it. Today is your day to win!
We Will Not Be Defeated (Part 1)
We do not have to be defeated by Satan. There are some things backed by the Word of God that declare we can be and can live a victorious lifestyle. Keep these thoughts in your heart and start each day with a winning attitude!
We can chase the enemy!
Leviticus 26:7, 8 "And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword."
Deuteronomy 32:30 "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?"
Joshua 23:10 " One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you."
We spend so much time defending ourselves from the enemy that we forget he is already defeated. It's time we realize, recognize, and retaliate against the devoured of our souls.
(1) We must realize who Jesus is in us!
Revelation 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
He is my rock, my shelter, my strength, my hope, my provider, and my all in all. If we as believers realize who He is within us and that the keys to the Kingdom have been given to us we can chase the enemy away rather than wait for his attack like a sitting duck.
(2) We must recognize the power at our disposal!
Mark 16:17b, 18 "In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
When you chase an enemy you have to be ready for surprise attacks. These supernatural abilities can make the weary warrior reproductive, the reluctant warrior brave as can be, and the resilient warrior even more fierce in their desire to exterminate the evils that they face.
We can chase the enemy!
Leviticus 26:7, 8 "And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword."
Deuteronomy 32:30 "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?"
Joshua 23:10 " One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you."
We spend so much time defending ourselves from the enemy that we forget he is already defeated. It's time we realize, recognize, and retaliate against the devoured of our souls.
(1) We must realize who Jesus is in us!
Revelation 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
He is my rock, my shelter, my strength, my hope, my provider, and my all in all. If we as believers realize who He is within us and that the keys to the Kingdom have been given to us we can chase the enemy away rather than wait for his attack like a sitting duck.
(2) We must recognize the power at our disposal!
Mark 16:17b, 18 "In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
When you chase an enemy you have to be ready for surprise attacks. These supernatural abilities can make the weary warrior reproductive, the reluctant warrior brave as can be, and the resilient warrior even more fierce in their desire to exterminate the evils that they face.
(3) We can retaliate in Jesus name!
The word "retaliate" means "make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack or repay in kind." Satan has no mercy on us and we should in return have no mercy on him.
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
The Whole Armor (Part 1)
The first piece of armor to be buckled on is the girdle or belt of truth. In the natural world, a suit of armor was attached to the belt which held the other pieces of armor in place. The truth of God's Word is the spiritual belt to which all other pieces of armor are attached. Satan's first
attack on man was on truth:
Genesis 3:2-4 "And the woman said unto the serpent...God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die."
The truth will protect you from lies and doctrinal errors of the enemy. Truth is the undergirding of your spiritual armor. You are to have your loins (your spiritual vital organs) girt (covered) with truth:
Ephesians 6:14 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..."
What is the truth?
-Jesus said, "I am the truth."-John 14:6
-The Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of truth.-John 14:17
-God is truth. -Romans 3:4
-God's Word is truth.-Psalms 119:151
-The Gospel is truth.-Colossians 1:5
attack on man was on truth:
Genesis 3:2-4 "And the woman said unto the serpent...God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die."
The truth will protect you from lies and doctrinal errors of the enemy. Truth is the undergirding of your spiritual armor. You are to have your loins (your spiritual vital organs) girt (covered) with truth:
Ephesians 6:14 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..."
What is the truth?
-Jesus said, "I am the truth."-John 14:6
-The Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of truth.-John 14:17
-God is truth. -Romans 3:4
-God's Word is truth.-Psalms 119:151
-The Gospel is truth.-Colossians 1:5
In the natural world, the breastplate covered the upper body of the warrior to protect vital organs such as his heart, lungs, etc. The spiritual breastplate of righteousness does not refer to your righteousness, but to the covering of the righteousness of Christ:
Philippians 3:9 "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."
You do not stand on your own merits. You stand in Christ. You can not face the enemy without the protection of the righteousness of Christ:
2 Corinthians 6:7 "By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the Armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left."
The righteousness of Christ protects your spiritual "vital organs" from attacks of Satan and from unrighteousness. The breastplate of righteousness must be buckled on to the belt of truth.
The righteousness of Christ protects your spiritual "vital organs" from attacks of Satan and from unrighteousness. The breastplate of righteousness must be buckled on to the belt of truth.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Rebuilding Your Walls (Part 4)
(g) Identify the enemy and his strategies.
Nehemiah identified the enemy and his strategies. He discovered that the enemy planned a surprise attack in Nehemiah 4:8 and 11. You must identify your spiritual enemy and his strategies in order to be effective in spiritual warfare. This will help you be prepared for surprise attacks. Recognize that the enemy has conspired against you to kill, steal, and destroy but realize God has greater power and wants to give you life more abundantly
(h) Develop spiritual counter strategies.
Nehemiah developed a counter strategy when he heard the enemy planned to attack. He set some workers as a guard to watch for the enemy. Every worker built the wall but also had his sword and was prepared to fight in Nehemiah 4:13-18. A signal was arranged (a trumpet blast) to alert the warriors of an invasion. Because they were prepared to fight and knew the strategy of the
enemy, they prevented an invasion. They knew if they had to war with the enemy, God would fight for them. If you develop proper spiritual counter strategies, you can prevent many invasions of the enemy into your life. When Satan does break through and invade, be assured that God will fight for you!
(i) Face the enemy.
When Nehemiah was offered refuge from the enemy, he refused. He said in chapter 6:11, "Should such a man
as I flee?" Nehemiah faced the enemy in God's power. When the enemy threatens you, do not flee or take the easy way out or your spiritual walls will never be secure.
When internal dissension and discouragement arose and the enemy worked through weak believers, Nehemiah did not ignore the attacks. He confronted and conquered them.
(j) Protect your walls at your most vulnerable times.
In the story of Nehemiah, the greatest attack of the enemy came when the wall was half finished. When you start building in the spirit world, when you enter the arena of effective spiritual warfare, be prepared. It is a vulnerable time. You are a target for an attacks of Satan.
(k) Build your wall.
Nehemiah's response to direct criticism, mocking, scorn, false accusations, threats, and fear, was simply to continue building the wall:
4:21 "So we labored in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared."
Nehemiah stayed with the task. He did not stop building:
6:15 "So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty and two days.
Nehemiah did in a short time what the enemy said could not be done. If the walls are down around your life, the enemy may tell you the task is hopeless. But, with
God's help, you can rebuild the wall. With His strength you do not have to take a long time to do so:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
When the enemy attacks your spiritual reconstruction project do not quit! Just keep building your spiritual walls.
(l) Set a watch.
When Nehemiah completed rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem, he set a guard to watch over the walls and gates of the city in Nehemiah 7:1-3. Set a watch over your spiritual walls. Always be alert for attacks of the enemy.
Nehemiah identified the enemy and his strategies. He discovered that the enemy planned a surprise attack in Nehemiah 4:8 and 11. You must identify your spiritual enemy and his strategies in order to be effective in spiritual warfare. This will help you be prepared for surprise attacks. Recognize that the enemy has conspired against you to kill, steal, and destroy but realize God has greater power and wants to give you life more abundantly
(h) Develop spiritual counter strategies.
Nehemiah developed a counter strategy when he heard the enemy planned to attack. He set some workers as a guard to watch for the enemy. Every worker built the wall but also had his sword and was prepared to fight in Nehemiah 4:13-18. A signal was arranged (a trumpet blast) to alert the warriors of an invasion. Because they were prepared to fight and knew the strategy of the
enemy, they prevented an invasion. They knew if they had to war with the enemy, God would fight for them. If you develop proper spiritual counter strategies, you can prevent many invasions of the enemy into your life. When Satan does break through and invade, be assured that God will fight for you!
(i) Face the enemy.
When Nehemiah was offered refuge from the enemy, he refused. He said in chapter 6:11, "Should such a man
as I flee?" Nehemiah faced the enemy in God's power. When the enemy threatens you, do not flee or take the easy way out or your spiritual walls will never be secure.
When internal dissension and discouragement arose and the enemy worked through weak believers, Nehemiah did not ignore the attacks. He confronted and conquered them.
(j) Protect your walls at your most vulnerable times.
In the story of Nehemiah, the greatest attack of the enemy came when the wall was half finished. When you start building in the spirit world, when you enter the arena of effective spiritual warfare, be prepared. It is a vulnerable time. You are a target for an attacks of Satan.
(k) Build your wall.
Nehemiah's response to direct criticism, mocking, scorn, false accusations, threats, and fear, was simply to continue building the wall:
4:21 "So we labored in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared."
Nehemiah stayed with the task. He did not stop building:
6:15 "So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty and two days.
Nehemiah did in a short time what the enemy said could not be done. If the walls are down around your life, the enemy may tell you the task is hopeless. But, with
God's help, you can rebuild the wall. With His strength you do not have to take a long time to do so:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
When the enemy attacks your spiritual reconstruction project do not quit! Just keep building your spiritual walls.
(l) Set a watch.
When Nehemiah completed rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem, he set a guard to watch over the walls and gates of the city in Nehemiah 7:1-3. Set a watch over your spiritual walls. Always be alert for attacks of the enemy.
Rebuilding Your Walls (Part 3)
Internal attacks of Satan are those made from within the Body of Christ. They include:
1. Discouragement.
Nehemiah 4:10-11
The workers became discouraged which resulted in:
• Loss of strength.
• Loss of vision because of "too much rubbish."
• Loss of confidence
2. Dissension.
Nehemiah 5
Nehemiah 5 opens with dissension among God's people. If Satan divides the Body of Christ, he makes us ineffective. We are busy battling each other instead of building. Wrong motives are always behind dissension. In Nehemiah chapter 5 the wrong motive was greed.
3. Weak believers.
Nehemiah 4:12
The enemy used weak workers (symbolic of weak believers in the Body of Christ) to try to defeat the construction project.
The following strategies were used by Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. You can use
the same strategies to assure victory at your spiritual walls:
(a) Examine your walls.
As Nehemiah did in the natural world, examine the walls of your spiritual life. (Nehemiah 2) Has the enemy crept into your personal life, your home, church fellowship, business, etc.?
1 Corinthians 11:28 "But let a man examine himself..."
2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..."
Remember that self-examination is one of the symbolic gates of your wall in the spirit world. Satan will try to prevent you from self-examination because it will result in recognition of areas in your life where you have let him destroy the walls and invade.
(b) Confess your sin.
As Nehemiah, recognize that the reason walls are destroyed is because of sin. Then like he did in
Nehemiah 1:5-7, confess your sin and ask forgiveness:
1 John 1:8, 9 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(c) Recognize you can't build alone.
When Nehemiah's workers said, "We ourselves are unable to build the wall," it was a true statement. By themselves they were unable. They needed the power of God to equip them for the task-so will you!
(d) Arise and build.
As Nehemiah, determine to rise and rebuild your spiritual walls:
Nehemiah 2:20 "Then answered I them, and said unto them, the God of Heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no
portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem." Be prepared, because you will face opposition from the enemy.
(e) Don't be diverted.
Nehemiah refused to be diverted by enemy tactics in Nehemiah 6:2-3. Do not let the enemy divert or distract you from rebuilding your spiritual walls.
(f) Don't be swayed by popular opinion.
Popular opinion was that Nehemiah was a rebel. Popular opinion held that the walls could not be properly rebuilt. Nehemiah was not swayed by popular opinion. Rather than conform to popular opinion, Nehemiah set an example. He said, "So did not I, because of the fear of God." Become an example in spiritual warfare. Do not become part of the crowd that says victory is impossible.
1. Discouragement.
Nehemiah 4:10-11
The workers became discouraged which resulted in:
• Loss of strength.
• Loss of vision because of "too much rubbish."
• Loss of confidence
2. Dissension.
Nehemiah 5
Nehemiah 5 opens with dissension among God's people. If Satan divides the Body of Christ, he makes us ineffective. We are busy battling each other instead of building. Wrong motives are always behind dissension. In Nehemiah chapter 5 the wrong motive was greed.
3. Weak believers.
Nehemiah 4:12
The enemy used weak workers (symbolic of weak believers in the Body of Christ) to try to defeat the construction project.
The following strategies were used by Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. You can use
the same strategies to assure victory at your spiritual walls:
(a) Examine your walls.
As Nehemiah did in the natural world, examine the walls of your spiritual life. (Nehemiah 2) Has the enemy crept into your personal life, your home, church fellowship, business, etc.?
1 Corinthians 11:28 "But let a man examine himself..."
2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..."
Remember that self-examination is one of the symbolic gates of your wall in the spirit world. Satan will try to prevent you from self-examination because it will result in recognition of areas in your life where you have let him destroy the walls and invade.
(b) Confess your sin.
As Nehemiah, recognize that the reason walls are destroyed is because of sin. Then like he did in
Nehemiah 1:5-7, confess your sin and ask forgiveness:
1 John 1:8, 9 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(c) Recognize you can't build alone.
When Nehemiah's workers said, "We ourselves are unable to build the wall," it was a true statement. By themselves they were unable. They needed the power of God to equip them for the task-so will you!
(d) Arise and build.
As Nehemiah, determine to rise and rebuild your spiritual walls:
Nehemiah 2:20 "Then answered I them, and said unto them, the God of Heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no
portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem." Be prepared, because you will face opposition from the enemy.
(e) Don't be diverted.
Nehemiah refused to be diverted by enemy tactics in Nehemiah 6:2-3. Do not let the enemy divert or distract you from rebuilding your spiritual walls.
(f) Don't be swayed by popular opinion.
Popular opinion was that Nehemiah was a rebel. Popular opinion held that the walls could not be properly rebuilt. Nehemiah was not swayed by popular opinion. Rather than conform to popular opinion, Nehemiah set an example. He said, "So did not I, because of the fear of God." Become an example in spiritual warfare. Do not become part of the crowd that says victory is impossible.
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